Online Master of Arts in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's program.

All applicants must submit:

• Graduate admission application and application fee.
• One letter of recommendation.
• Official transcripts.
• Personal statement.
• Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.

The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.

GRE scores are not required for admission.

This Master of Arts in special education with a concentration in applied behavior analysis is only one component of earning the U.S./Canada-specific BCBA designation. Earning this degree does not automatically lead to eligibility for BCBA certification.

Effective January 2023, the BACB no longer accepts certification applications from individuals residing outside the U.S. and Canada. There is no change to the ability of international applicants to earn the MA in special education (ABA) degree. Applicants from outside the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to connect with the credentialing or licensing body in the country in which they intend to practice to determine educational and licensing requirements for their country.

ASU’s ABA program curriculum meets the Association for Behavior Analysis International verified course sequence requirements to qualify to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam. You must satisfy any additional requirements to be eligible to take the exam. We offer an optional practicum for those seeking to complete BCBA-supervised field experience.

The authority to practice applied behavior analysis or use the title of behavior analyst is granted on a per-state basis. Many states require BCBA certification for licensure. However, not all states have enacted legislation to create a regulatory body for ABA licensure and not all that have licensure require BCBA certification.

Learn more about professional licensure and certification.

An ABA master’s degree can prepare you for careers in a growing, high-demand field with applications across education, health care, business and community services. While many students pursue BCBA certification, it’s not required to apply ABA principles in professional settings, and the skills you gain can be used across a wide range of roles and industries. If you’re not ready to commit to a full master’s program, you may also consider ASU’s online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis, which offers focused coursework for you to build foundational knowledge or begin working toward BCBA eligibility.

To become a BCBA, you must complete three key steps: earn a qualifying master’s degree with approved coursework, complete supervised fieldwork hours and pass the BCBA exam. This program fulfills the coursework requirement through Pathway 2 and offers an optional practicum to support your progress toward the remaining steps.

This ABA master’s degree online program meets the coursework requirements for BCBA eligibility through Pathway 2 and aligns with the BACB Test Content Outline (6th Edition), including upcoming 2027 standards. You’ll study assessment, intervention, ethics and data analysis. Completing this ABA degree fulfills the academic component of eligibility and offers an optional practicum to help you gain supervised fieldwork experience. You’ll need a passing exam score to become certified.

Applied behavior analysis is a scientific approach to understanding behavior and how learning occurs. ABA therapy refers to how those principles are applied in real-world settings, such as working with individuals to improve communication, learning and behavior.

Most students complete this 30-credit program in five semesters, which is typically around two years. An accelerated option may allow you to finish sooner. Upon completion, you’ll have met the coursework requirement for BCBA eligibility and can continue toward certification by completing supervised fieldwork and passing the BCBA exam.

No. It does not lead to teacher certification. You’ll focus on applied behavior analysis and prepare for roles that use behavior-analytic principles across a variety of settings.